06/27/2024 20:08hs.
He was the one who guided the golden era of Argentina’s youth teams: the emergence of great talents and the conquest of titles. He managed the senior team in the 2006 World Cup, with a young Lionel Messi. He passed through Colombia, left his mark and had a short stay in the Venezuelan national team, which is currently managed by Bocha Batista (whom he took there), who is standing out in the Copa América. We are talking about José Pekerman, a great representative of Argentine football. He spoke about the joy that the great present of Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina – whom he directed – generates in him, the talks he had with Juan Román Riquelme (another under his command) and the big team he rejected, among other topics.
PEKERMAN IN DIALOGUE WITH DSPORTS RADIO
The selection: “I feel good and beautiful things about this National Team. I lived the final in Qatar very intensely. Tears fell down when everything ended. The Copa América in Brazil was a very big click.”
About Scaloni: “It was decisive that the players trusted Lionel Scaloni. In addition to the ability, the human part that he contributed was very important. There was a lot of empathy on both sides. Everyone felt that they were going on the same path. As never before, we saw a very united group At the time, he was among a group of very talented players and stood out for his vision. He always contributed good things, he asked about the exercises, a very passionate person. He assimilated everything he experienced as a footballer. time to choose his coaching staff and objectives. The work was strengthened from there.
Scaloni and Pekerman greet each other (Fotobaires).
His work in the youth: “Over time, I see that we were up to par with that youth champion team. Investment must always be in young people, that will maintain success.”
His short stay of one year and three months in Venezuela (2021 to 2023): “I feel good that now I have put together the team with patience. We covered everything that a project needs. Venezuela was far behind in terms of organization. That year and three months that we were here, we got it on track and the kids were fine. I decided not to continue because there were situations that were not compatible with what I thought.”
(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 25, 2022, Venezuela’s Argentine coach Jose Pekerman (R) talks with assistant Fernando Batista during the South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Argentina at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires . – Argentine Fernando Batista will be the new coach of Venezuela ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, two days after the exit of Jose Pekerman was confirmed, the local federation announced on March 10, 2023. (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP)
The talks with Riquelme, were you close to directing Boca?: “I spoke at some point with Román, but we never finished speaking firmly as to whether I could do a project. We always remain with that very good relationship we have.”
Pekerman with Riquelme in 2023.
The offer from the Chilean national team: “Recently, in March of this year, when Toto Berizzo left Chile, the people from Chile asked me if I wanted to. I said yes, we had a meeting. I knew they were talking to Zubeldía, Gareca and Alonso.”
Pekerman and Tocalli (Garcia JJ).
And the no to Independiente: “It hurt me to say no to Hugo Tocalli. I know that he is the coordinator and what kind of professional he is. I was closer to Chile. I am not clear about the issue of a club because they are different (ed: with respect to a national team).”
